Thanks David!
We are definately having a lot of discussion about the use (or overuse)
of the term "center", and in many ways I agree with your argument about
the ambiguity of the word. But, in our case (James Monroe M&ML), we're
in a small town with 12 other historic attractions, all of which MANY
local residents still consider "shrines" or "history houses". Trying to
come up with a more professional term is "where we're at" at the moment,
because we're NOT a "shrine" any longer. At the moment, the archives
and library aspects of the Museum are not up to snuff . . . but once we
get the professional staff and funds on line (by the year 2000, we
hope), we will be doing more than the usual museum duties. If "center"
isn't the way to go, what is? Help!
And yes, James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library is too clunky, but not
HALf as bad as our "official" state title . . . "James Monroe Law Office
Museum and Memorial Library". Yuck! That's what we are on the "books"
(we're a state-owned institution). My goal, and one that isn't
completely understood by all of the powers that be, is to make this
place THE institution dedicated to the "life and times" of the 5th
president. There are others, but we've got the largest collection, and
a good location, close to both Richmond and Washington. Suggestions?!
ANY help or comments would be appreciated.
Lee, curator of the JMLOM&ML (ouch!)
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>
> Perhaps it makes some sense to call a James Monroe presidential museum AND lib
r
> ary a "center" if the library & museum functions are equal, as they probably a
r
> e. Many specialized research operations have roughly equal library, archival,
> and museum functions. A James Monroe Presidential Center makes a certain amou
n
> t of sense, but I think any institution that can in fact find a niche within a
> commonly accepted category with a traditional name, such as "museum," "library
,
> " "archives," "police station," should be as specific as possible. Aren't mos
t
> presidential "libraries" primarily research libraries, however? Aren't artif
a
> ct collections and exhibits secondary? Any "library" can have both an archive
s
> and a display gallery, just as most museums will contain libraries and archiv
e
> s, but an over-zealous and unnecessary use of the word "center" will just obsc
u
> re primary function. "Mission statements" are currently as popular as "center
s
> ," and I suggest that institutional names be selected which most closely match
> an accurate, well-crafted mission statement. If you find that your mission mo
s
> t closely matches the traditional mission of a library, for example, don't be
a
> fraid to call yourself that. As awkward as "museum and library" may seem, may
b
> e it's more meaningful than "center." I predict that eventually "center" will
> become so nebulous that it will be synonymous with "building," "room," "place.
"
>
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